ReliefWeb

Heavy rains hit southern parts of Yemen on 24 and 25 March, affecting Lahj, Aden, Abyan, Taizz, Al Dale’e, Al Mahrah and Hadramaut governorates badly. In Aden, torrential rains flooded houses and roads in Crater and Al Mualla districts. In Hadramaut, houses, road bridges, water networks, and crops were destroyed and livestock drowned in Al Sawm, Hajr, Mayfa and Brom districts. Sites for internally displaced people (IDPs) were worst affected where rains destroyed shelters and property and led to stagnant water. Initial findings suggest that at least 4,625 families have been affected in 60 IDP sites. (OCHA, 31 Mar 2020)

An estimated 21,240 families (148,680 people) have been affected by flooding in 13 governorates since mid-April. Conditions are hardest for thousands of families already displaced who have lost shelter, food rations and household supplies. In Marib Governorate, torrential rains affected 6,286 families including 7 fatalities while 250 people were injured. The rains also caused houses to collapse, and damaged infrastructure making some roads impassable in Raymah Governorate and Marib City and surrounding areas. In Sana’a and northern governorates, at least 9,146 families were affected, with Sana’a City and most parts of Sana’a governorate particularly badly hit by flooding. Over 5,130 families have been affected in Hajjah Governorate alone, and partners have reported severe damage to shelters at sites for internally displaced persons (IDPs) as a result urgent needs for WASH interventions and food assistance are required. An estimated 4,764 households have been affected in IDP sites in southern governorates, including 1,812 families in Aden, 1,037 in Abyan, 917 in Taizz and 770 in Lahj governorates. In Aden City, the worst affected areas are Crater and Mualla. (OCHA, 24 Apr 2020)

During the month of April, Yemen has experienced heavy rains which caused flash floods in different governorates of the country requiring immediate assistance. On 21 April, a tropical storm hit the southern coast of Yemen with highest impact in Lahj, Aden, Taiz, Ad Dali’, Abyan and Hadramawt. According to preliminary assessments, at least 150,000 people were affected across 13 governorates, including 64,000 internally displaced people. According to the UNOCHA Flash Floods Update No.21 and Flash Floods Update No.32, the health authorities in Aden reported on 22 April the deaths of seven people, including four children, while two people were missing. In Crater District, a family of four were reported to have died when their house collapsed, and in Mualla District, three people died and another 27 were injured. In Aden City, local authorities reported that 66 houses were damaged or destroyed. There is widespread damage to private and public property, including many vehicles and food stocks, and some basic services have been cut. The Ministry of Electricity reported a total power outage in Aden City; there was a possibility that power might be restored to some districts within 48 hours, while pumped drinking water was being restored after it stopped for 24 hours. At sites, for internally displaced people (IDPs) across southern governorates, initial assessments indicated that at least 5,537 displaced families were affected by the rains in 69 locations. In Mualla District in Aden, 100 families from the local community have been displaced by the floods besides flooding to two schools. (IFRC, 28 Apr 2020)

Heavy rain has been affecting several Governorates of the country (in particular Hadhramaut, Shabwa and Al Mahrah) since the last few days, causing widespread floods and resulting in casualties and damage. According to media reports, 16 people died in eastern Hadhramaut and central Shabwa. Around 130 people have been displaced, 25 houses flooded and hundreds of livestock have been killed by flood events in Hadhramaut. The authorities deployed emergency teams to rescue people trapped in valleys by the floodings. (ECHO, 5 Jun 2020)

Since the past week, heavy rain has been affecting western Yemen (particularly Al-Hodeidah, Ibb, Hajjah, Lahj, Shabwah, Abyan, and Sana'a Governorates), triggering floods that have resulted in casualties and damage. Media reports, as of 28 July, 17 fatalities (of which 13 across Al-Hodeidah, 3 in Hajjah and one across Ibb). In addition, more than 50 houses were destroyed across the aforementioned Governorates. Over the next 24 hours, more heavy rain is forecast over western and central Governorates, with locally very heavy rain over the already affected ones. (ECHO, 29 Jul 2020)